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Milk of magnesia is a standard, effective treatment for constipation. People can buy it from drug stores without a prescription.
This article explains what milk of magnesia is, how to use it, what conditions it can treat, common side effects, and more.
Milk of magnesia, also known as magnesium hydroxide, can act as an antacid or as a saline laxative.
This type of laxative works by drawing moisture into a person’s bowels to help loosen stool.
A person may purchase milk of magnesia over the counter (OTC) without a prescription, but they should talk with their doctor if they experience frequent bouts of constipation.
Parents and guardians should avoid giving milk of magnesia to children under 6 years old unless their doctor recommends its use.
The original form of milk of magnesia usually helps a person produce a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
In addition to constipation and acid relief, milk of magnesia may help with conditions such as sunburn and acne, though empirical evidence is significantly lacking.
Some people believe that applying a thin layer of milk of magnesia topically to sunburn will help ease the pain and burning sensation.
Though this may work for some people, no studies or empirical evidence exist to support its use on sunburn.
A person interested in sunburn relief should talk with their doctor. Other OTC products, such as aloe vera, may work better for a person.
Some people believe that milk of magnesia can help with treating acne. The belief stems from the medication’s potential ability to help break up surface oils.
The only research on its use for acne dates back to a 1975 study. In the study, a researcher noted that the use of milk of magnesia combined with orally taking 250 milligrams (mg) of tetracycline and washing two times daily with a nonfat soap helped clear up acne pustules and reduce inflammation.
No further studies have looked at the use of applying milk of magnesia topically or taking it orally for the treatment of acne. A person should talk with their doctor about alternative methods to treat acne.
Milk of magnesia is available to buy as either a tablet or a liquid. When using the tablet form, a person usually needs to chew the tablet before swallowing.
Milk of magnesia is available as a regular strength liquid or a concentrated liquid. People should not give the concentrated liquid to children under the age of 12.
People can buy different forms of milk of magnesia from drug stores or online.
Though dosing can vary, a person should avoid taking more than the recommended dose over the course of 24 hours.
To take liquid milk of magnesia, a person can mix it with milk or water. Shake the bottle well before measuring out a dose. The dosage varies depending on why the person is using the medication and their age.
People who are old enough to take milk of magnesia should drink a full glass, or 8 ounces, of water with each dose of milk of magnesia. Use the 15-milliliter (ml) dosing cup or spoon provided for accuracy. It is best to take the medication at bedtime.
Using the original version of milk of magnesia for constipation, the dosage in milliliters varies depending on a person’s age:
For the concentrated version of milk of magnesia, the dosage is lower:
There are also chewable tablets for children. Children should drink a full glass of liquid with each dose. The dosage varies depending on age:
People should not take milk of magnesia as a laxative for more than 7 days in a row. Anyone who is still in need of a laxative or has persistent pain in their stomach area should talk with a doctor.
Milk of magnesia usually relieves constipation within 6 hours of taking it. If a person does not have a bowel movement after using milk of magnesia, they should stop using it and talk with a doctor.
In those cases, an underlying condition may be the cause of constipation and may need additional treatment from a doctor.
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For the concentrated version of milk of magnesia, the dosage is lower:
Using the original version of milk of magnesia for constipation, the dosage in milliliters varies depending on a person’s age:
In addition to constipation and acid relief, milk of magnesia may help with conditions such as sunburn and acne, though empirical evidence is significantly lacking.
This type of laxative works by drawing moisture into a person’s bowels to help loosen stool.
People can buy different forms of milk of magnesia from drug stores or online.
FAQ
How long does milk of magnesia last?
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